August 21

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. — Matt 12:20 BSB

The gracious Man of Sorrows will never “break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax.” Though He sends forth judgment, His purpose is to bring the soul low, even to the dust. But while this judgment is being carried out, He secretly upholds the soul, for He wounds in order to heal, and brings down to the grave so that He may raise up again. Even in sending forth this “judgment,” it is “unto victory.” The end is always conquest; victory is certain. There may be a long and difficult struggle, a fierce battle with garments drenched in sweat and blood, but victory will come in the end. He will never cease until He has fully gained the victory.

Imagine the triumph Satan would boast if even one saint were to fall from the loving arms of the Good Shepherd. How he would point his mocking finger toward heaven and say, “Your blood was shed in vain for this one. He belongs to me now!” The very thought would fill hell with shouts of triumph. But this will never happen! The blood that “cleanses from all sin” was never shed in vain and never will be.

Though the reed is bruised, it will never be broken; though the flax smolders, it will never be extinguished, for the One who sends forth judgment also sends it unto victory. The battle may seem to sway back and forth; the enemy may strike again and again; and victory may be delayed until the final hour, as night begins to fall. But victory is sure in the end.

It is the Lord who accomplishes the whole work. We have no power in ourselves to win the battle. Can we overcome even a single temptation by our own strength? Is there one sin that we can crucify without divine aid? Can we subdue any lust without the help of God’s grace? We are utterly powerless in these matters. But the blessed Lord makes His strength perfect in our weakness. We may indeed feel bruised and think that no one else has ever been dealt with so harshly as we have, believing that our case is unique. But without these trials, we would not judge ourselves. And if we judge ourselves, we will not be judged by the Lord. If we justify ourselves, the Lord will condemn us; but if we condemn ourselves, the Lord will justify us. Exalt yourself, and the Lord will humble you; humble yourself, and the Lord will exalt you.